LA Laws Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker, one of television memorable on-and-off screen couples are taking on a new case: Fighting Osteoporosis. Eikenberry and Tucker who starred in the Emmy award-winning series played tough lawyers with strong backbones from 1986-1994. Recently they were diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia. They were surprised to learn that this condition is not just an older womans disease and that their back and their bones might not be as strong as they thought.

They are now collaborating with the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and Merck to launch a new awareness program. The 'Know Yourself to a T' campaign encourages people to identify their risk for osteoporosis by getting a bone density test and the result, or T-score. As part of this valuable and educational campaign, the NOF will be providing FREE bone-density screenings in local malls in Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

Cary, North Carolina:
Hey Jill and Michael, Great to see a cause that you're both passionate about and active with together. I'm 49, so what are symptoms that might show up in the years ahead that would clue me in to a potential/real problem, and what roles do diet and exercise play in combating this disease? (I sure do miss LA Law!!!)

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The real danger about it is that there may not be any symptoms at all that clue you in. If you're menopausal or post-menopausal, I would recommend you talk to your doctor and ask to prescribe a bone density test.

The risk factors that might put you at higher risk are aging, menopause, if you've had a fracture that was caused by a minimal amount of trauma, if someone in your family has had multiple fractures with minimal trauma, or whose spine is curved, and if you're very thin.Colton, CA 92324:
Is osteoporosis hereditary?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
I think the tendency is hereditary, so you should definitely notice if anyone in your family suffers from the symptoms. That would put you in a high risk group.

(Jill) My mother is thin and slight and has osteoporosis, and I'm thin and slight. So in that sense it's hereditary.Tucson,az:
Is Osteopenia different from Osteoporosis,if so,how? I'm not familiar with this term.
Thank you,Jean

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
Osteopenia is a condition of bone loss, but above -2.5, which is the cutoff point. If you're below that number, you have osteoporosis.New Orleans, LA:
I have osteopenia in my hips. What type of calcium supplement did your physicians recommend for you?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
One of the things our doctor has talked about is calcium rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a supplement. It seems we can absorb only about 500 mgs of calcium at a time, so I (Jill) take about 500 mgs 3x a day.Winston-Salem, NC:
Thank you for bringing attention to this. I'm a 39 yr. old female, and take calcium supplements and do strength exercises with free weights. What else can we do to work toward prevention? And is there a plan my husband, age 37, should follow as well?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
Add on weight bearing aerobic exercises, like hiking or running. And don't smoke. Smoking is a huge factor. Drink alcohol minimally and reasonably.Champaign,IL.:
If you have been diagnosed with osteopenia will it get osteoporosis?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
There is a wide range of treatments that can actually reverse bone loss. I (Jill) have a -2.9 T score, which means I have 29% less bone mass than the average healthy woman. But I'm going to be able to restore some of that with medication, exercise, and diet.Macon, Georgia:
What caused you to initially suspect you had the disease?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The fact that I'm (Jill) menopausal, and unable to do hormone replacement therapy because I've had breast cancer, made me concerned about my bones. My doctor recommended that I take a bone density test in 1998, and then follow it up with an annual test, which is how I discovered my bone loss was considerable.Newark, DE:
Should the bone density scan be repeated if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and are taking medication? If so, how often?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
It can be repeated so you can keep an eye on what direction the condition of your bone growth is going. Then talk to your doctor about your treatment.

It might take a year or two to observe that you're actually reversing the trend, so don't be disappointed if you don't see a dramatic change in the first year.Minneapolis, Minnesota:
I'm 55 and my doctors (I belong to a HMO) have never suggested that I get a bone density test. Why not? Why do I always have to be the advocate and know everything about what to do----because I don't know everything! Could you also try to get to doctors to recommend this and talk to HMO's about suggesting it be done, regardless of the worry over the cost involved? Thanks for your help!

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The National Osteoporosis Foundation officially recommends that women over 65 have a bone density test no matter what, but unofficially many of the experts we've talked to feel that a woman who starts menopause should have a baseline bone density test, and then see whether she needs treatment if her bones start to bend.

The national campaign that we're doing, sponsored by the NOF, is about raising awareness so that women can become their own advocates, can go to their doctors and say I want this test.Chicago, IL:
I am 45-1/2 and have been dairy intolerant since I was 33. I worry I'm not getting enough calcium. Aside from calcium, what else do I need to strengthen my bones? Also, are there any symptoms?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The main source of calcium is fresh vegetables and fruits if you're lactose intolerant. Also calcium supplements.Faifax, VA:
How do men get this disease?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
Men under 5'7" are in a high risk group - that's what I've learned. One in four men over 50 will suffer from osteoporosis fractures, and one in two women. It can pretty much all be prevented if people get a bone scan, watch their T score, and take responsibility for their bones.Philadelphia, PA:
A friend of mine saw an ad on TV about a screening in a local mall. Can you tell me more about it?

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The National Osteoporosis Foundation is presenting a nationwide campaign to raise awareness, and we're going to certain cities and giving away free bone density screening tests at local malls. Present will be a registered nurse from the NOF to help you interpret and understand the results of the screening. This is all part of the "Know Yourself to a T" campaign. You can go to www.nof.org for more information.Comment from Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker:
The test at the mall is a quick, simple thing where you take off your shoe and put your foot into a little machine. It reads the bone density of your heel. It's quick and painless, and it's a great screening tool.